Top

286 MEMOIRS OF JOSEPH GRIMALBI.
you'll take my advice, you'll remain where you are : for I have
found from experience, that if there is a choice between a first-
rate and a second-rate house, one should always go to the
former. There you have the best articles at a fair price; while
at the other you have bad things,' worse served up, and
enormously dear."
Bologna was ultimately prevailed upon not to leave the house,
contenting himself with various economical resolutions, which
he commenced putting in practice when the waiter appeared to
know if they would order supper.
"Supper!" exclaimed Bologna; "certainly not; not on any
account. Suppers are extremely unhealthy: I never take them
by any chance."
"You may get some supper for me" said Grrimaldi, "and
have it ready at half-past eleven."
" "What will you like to order, sir ?"
" I'll leave it to the landlady. Anything nice will do."
" Good Heaven?" said Bologna, as the waiter went out of the
room; " what a bill you'll have to pay here !"
They strolled about the town; arranged with the manager to
commence next night with " Mother Groose," and having be-
guiled the time till supper, repaired to the inn, where a fine
brace of partridges, done to a turn, were placed before Grimaldi,
which his companion eyed with very hungry looks, congratu-
lating himself aloud, however, upon having saved himself that
expense, at all events.
There was a silence for some minutes, broken only by the
clatter of the knives and forks; and then Bologna, who had
been walking up and down iihe room in a restless manner,
stopped short, and inquired if the birds were nice?
"Very," replied Gtrimaldi, helping himself again ; " they are
delicious."
Bologna walked up and down the room faster after this, and
then rang the bell with great vehemence. The waiter appeared, expense," he answered. " Bless me! look at